Random Real Mythological Places (16 items)

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  (#13) El Dorado, Golden City at Bottom of Lake Guatavita

  The myth of the golden city El Dorado started with the tale of the golden man. One day, a Colombian native tribe chief covered himself with gold dust and dove into the water of Lake Guatavita as part of a ritual. The rest of the tribe also took part by throwing gold objects into the lake as an offering to gods.

  Other legends depicted El Dorado as an entire city made of gold. Either way, archeologists have found artifacts made of gold and silver at the bottom of the Lake Guatavita in the Andes, connecting the nearly 50-acre-wide Colombian lake with the shimmering myth. 
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  (#16) Old New Synagogue, Home to the Golem of Prauge

  A golem is a mythical human-like creature with magical powers in Jewish folklore. One tale took place in Prague, where a golem was summoned to protect the Jewish people who lived there. However, with its increasing power, the golem grew evil and began terrorizing the city.

  Eventually, a Rabbi managed to kill the golem and stored the remains in the attic of Prague’s Old New Synagogue. Now a tourist attraction, the synagogue has an impressive Gothic style and was one of the very few Jewish relics spared by the Nazis during World War II.
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  (#8) Winchester Castle, a Real-Life Camelot

  Despite his debated historical existence, legendary British leader King Arthur has inspired many folklore and modern-day tales. King Arthur was a mighty warrior who defended the land and people of Britain from enemies, both human and supernatural.

  King Arthur is thought to have resided at Camelot, a kingdom regarded as the capital of his realm. The Winchester Castle in Hampshire, England is a medieval building that's been dubbed the real-world Camelot. Inside, visitors can glimpse a round table hanging on the wall inscribed with the names of King Arthur’s knights carved around the edge.
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  (#6) Xibalba, Mayan 'Place of Fear'

  This secret site of the Mayan underworld dates back to 750-850 BCE. It's located in on the Yucatan Peninsula, and its believed that this cave was constructed to mimic the Mayan underworld. The entire Mayan civilization, which mysteriously collapsed in the 10th century, stretched from southern Mexico to northern Belize.

  The area is filled with caverns, underground rivers, natural pools, and dark recesses. According to Mayan mythology, sinkholes and caves serve as sacred entrance portals to the other world, Xibalba, roughly translated as "place of fear," where all the gods and blood-thirsty predators lived. 
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  (#14) Kilauea Volcano, Home of Hawaiian Goddess Pele

  While Hawaii is best known for its fabulous beaches, its volcanoes are also important to the local culture. Hawaiian mythology honored Pele as the goddess of volcanoes, as well as the creator of the Hawaiian islands. According to legend, the goddess lives in the Halemaumau crater in the Kilauea volcano.

  The volcano, located in the modern-day Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, is one of the world’s most restless volcanoes. Several parts of Kilauea are accessible to visitors, while other areas can only be observed from the Jaggar Museum lookout. 
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  (#3) Acropolis of Athens

  • Europe

  The Parthenon, a temple which rests on the Acropolis of Athens, is cherished for its association with Greek mythology. In fact, the temple was dedicated to the city’s patron, the goddess Athena. For thousands of years, the structure has held countless religious festivals, cult gatherings, and even political protests.

  The 228-foot-long building is surrounded by 46 columns of brilliant white marble, supporting the grand structure on a hill where it can be seen from anywhere in the city. Unfortunately, a significant part of the temple was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BCE and again by the Venetians in 1687.

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